Page 144 of The Betrayal

“What did you just call her?” he steps over to Keaton, towering over him. Keaton doesn't move or flinch. I move quickly, well, as quick as a heavily pregnant woman can move and step in front of Keaton once again.

“Dad, please.” I press my hands to his chest and that's when Keaton stands up behind me in some form of protection.

It takes my dad a hot minute to break his angry gaze from Keaton and finally settle on me, anger and frustration melting away within seconds.

“Can we go and see my baby sister?” and the words cut a little deeper into my heart, a weird warming sensation coating any other emotion that was currently pulsing through me.

“Sure thing, Sunshine.”

Keaton places a soft kiss on the top of my head before stepping aside and resting his hand on my dad's shoulder and suddenly, I can't breathe.

“Congratulations,” and my weak heart breaks, cracking into pieces and crumbling into my hollow chest. I watch as Keaton squeezes his shoulder then walks out of the labor ward.

My dad doesn't move. His jaw is clenched, eyes gazing forward into Amora's room, and I know how much that meant to him. He just wouldn't admit it.

He says nothing, just turns on his heel and begins walking and I take that as my cue to follow him. We don't talk. Just walk the narrow hallways. Nerves vibrate deep in my stomach, he has never once asked about work since I have been married to Keaton, yet he would always ask me before. This is where I did my internship, well, in his eyes, should still be doing my internship but he hasn't asked a single question about how it is going. Keaton wouldn't have told him? Surely? No, of course not. He would have told me. I shake the negative feeling that settles deep inside my chest as we round the corner to the nursery. My heart swells when I see all the beautiful newborns wrapped and swaddled in their plastic cribs.

My dad stops outside, looking through the large glass window and just stares.

“All okay?” I ask, turning and looking up at him. I can't read him. His face full of emotion but his eyes emotionless.

“Yeah,” he rolls his lips, snapping out of it and pushing a smile onto his lips. “Ready?”

“More than ready,” I nod, and he opens the door before we're dressed in shear pink gowns.

I watch as dad talks to the nurse before leading me towards my little sister’s crib and my heart swells in my chest as he scoops her up delicately and holds her in his large arms.

“She's so tiny,” I whisper, eyes welling. Little button nose, and full lips. She's a mini Amora.

“Susan,” my dad calls out to the midwife, “could you follow us to my wife's room?”

“Of course, let me just get Bree in,” she gives a sweet smile as she slips out the back door.

I stroke her tiny hands with my finger and she locks her grip around it and I feel my throat thicken as I choke out a tear.

“Okay, you ready?” Susan asks as she pulls the baby's crib out and my dad nods, eyes on his newborn and I reluctantly pull my finger away. Missing it instantly. We walk slowly towards where Amora is resting and her eyes light up when she sees her husband walk round the door with their little bundle. I look down the hallway, but Keaton is nowhere to be seen and I rub the ache from my chest.

“Amora,” I breathe, walking into the room, “she is beautiful.”

“She really is, isn't she.”

I nod. “And so tiny,” my voice is a little higher as a permanent smile graces my face.

“She weighed six pound four.” Amora tells me as dad hands their daughter into her arms. Amora kisses the top of her head, and she stirs, a little squeak leaving her.

“And her name?” I wait.

“Twyla,” Amora says softly and I look at my dad then back at her.

“Twyla?” I repeat.

“It means Twilight,” and then it clicks. My dad's favorite time of the day and Amora, his wife's, nickname.

“Oh, it's perfect,” I clasp my hands and Amora turns her face towards me.

“Would her big sister like a cuddle?” and I have never held my arms out as quick as I just did.

“Do you even have to ask?” I laugh, scooping her up and making sure to hold her head as I let her rest in my arms.

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